At its December 1, 2025 meeting, the District 207 Board of Education unanimously approved the following resolution:
RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE DISTRICT’S COMMITMENT TO ENSURING
A SAFE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of Maine Township High School School
District No. 207 (the “School District or the Board”), has the authority to formulate
District policy and to direct the Superintendent in their charge of the District’s
administration pursuant to Board Policy 2:20 and applicable provisions of the Illinois
School Code.
WHEREAS, the Board is committed to providing an equitable learning
environment that enhances diversity and individual student needs, while preparing
students to achieve their full potential as part of our global community;
WHEREAS, the Board has and continues to support all students and their
families regardless of race, color, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, or the
status of their parents/guardians;
WHEREAS, the US Department of Homeland Security and their associated
agencies, Immigrations and Custom Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection
agencies have recently implemented enhanced immigration enforcement in the
Chicagoland area; and
WHEREAS, the District is fully committed to ensuring that all students have
access to its educational services in a safe and healthy learning environment;
WHEREAS, Board Policy 4:170 and applicable provisions of the Illinois School
Code requires and authorizes the Board to promote the safety and security of all
persons on District property and District events;
WHEREAS, Board Policy 4:170 and applicable provisions of the Illinois School
Code requires the Board to provide equal educational and extracurricular opportunities
for all students regardless of national origin or immigration status, and prohibits the
District from entering into agreements with any entity that discriminates against students
on the basis of national origin, immigration status or other protected characteristics;
WHEREAS, Board Policy 8:30 and Section 10-22.10 of the Illinois School Code
provides the Board with broad authority to control and supervise school grounds and
buildings.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board as follows:
- The Board affirms that, in accordance with the law, the District will not enter into any
agreements with external entities to facilitate enforcement of immigration law.
- The Board affirms that, in accordance with law, the District will not agree to allow law
enforcement agents access to District buildings unless they produce appropriate legal
documentation such as a judicial warrant signed by a federal judge.
- The Board affirms that, in accordance with law, the District will not agree to allow law
enforcement agencies or any entity deputized by these agencies to perform similar
function to utilize any District property, including but not limited to using it as a staging
area, processing location or base of operations.
- The Board affirms that the District will not share protected student information with
law enforcement agencies unless presented with a judicial warrant or court order signed
by a federal judge or with parental consent.
- The District’s Superintendent shall have the authority to continue to further develop
and implement policies consistent with this Resolution, consistent with the Illinois
School Code and all applicable laws.
- In developing and implementing policies in alignment with this Resolution, the
District’s Superintendent shall consider the general safety of students, staff, and their
families, and consider each policy with respect to the general welfare of the District’s
communities.
- The District will work with local law enforcement as appropriate to effectuate the
objectives of this Resolution.
- This Resolution shall be in full force and effect upon its adoption.
ADOPTED: the 1st day of December, 2025 by the following roll call vote.
When introducing the resolution, Board President Dr. Sheila Yousuf-Abramson read the following statement at the Board meeting.
“This resolution serves to reaffirm the District’s commitment to a safe educational environment amidst recent events that have affected our District 207 communities, families and students and staff.
As a school district, it is an honor and our responsibility to serve and support all students and their families regardless of immigration status.
Here at District 207, it is our priority to ensure all students have access to an environment that is caring, safe, and conducive to learning. Recent events in our communities have left students—and their families—feeling vulnerable and unsafe.
Our schools and staff have done their best to be responsive, and we, as a board, want to offer our deepest gratitude to them as they continue to navigate these challenges. Our campuses offer various resources and supports for our students and families, but access to food has been of particular and immediate importance.
There has been an increase in need among our student body to access the schools’ food pantries. Fortunately, many of our students have been able to take advantage of these resources to support both themselves and their families—who may be afraid to leave their homes.
While additional resources may be available to families, many are wary of sharing information that might put them—and their families—in harm’s way
District 207 has made a tremendous effort to improve school attendance. Students learn when they are present in our school buildings, working directly with teachers, staff, and their peers. While we have seen a notable improvement in attendance, we also know that many students are choosing not to come—not for lack of commitment—but out of fear.
Thus, this resolution reaffirms for all our families, regardless of immigration status, that District 207 remains committed to providing a safe environment for the children of our communities, where both their minds and bodies are nourished.
District 207 will continue to strengthen policies and administrative procedures, with a commitment to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment for all our students and staff, while obeying all relevant state and federal laws relating to students’ rights.
As outlined in this resolution, we, as a district, are guided by specific Board Policies per the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois School Code. From these policies, and in accordance with the law, we reaffirm that District 207 will not enter into any agreement with law enforcement agencies to facilitate the enforcement of immigration law, nor will we share any protected student information. We also affirm that we will not enter into any agreements with law enforcement agencies granting access to, or use of, District property and buildings for any purpose without a judicial warrant.
In addition, District 207 will continue to promote supports and resources for all students, strengthen collaboration within and across our schools, and work with the generous organizations and donors who support our students and their families, to create greater capacity and access to these services.”
To watch and listen to the full discussion that occurred at the Board meeting, please see the link below: